How to Get Kids to Read - Part 3

So how do you find a book that your child will enjoy? Start with his interests. Does he like sports? Find a novel in which the sport he enjoys is important to the plot. Matt Christopherwrites novels about kids and all kinds of sports for girls and boys. Does she want to be a princess when she grows up? There are all kinds of princess novels out there. I know because my daughter read them all when she was younger. Try The Jewel Princesses series by Jahnna N. Malcolm and Neal McPheeters. Does your child like gross humor? Try Dear Dumb Diary #1: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jim Benton or Adventures Of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. Do you have a young historian? Try the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca. A budding scientist? Try Animorphs by K. A. Applegate or the Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole. An animal lover? Animal Ark Pets Series is popular with younger kids. Hank the Cowdog books by John Erickson combine animals and a mystery. The whole family will love reading them. Bill Wallace writes some wonderful animal books. Try Snot Stew to start. Kids love the title! What movies or TV shows does you child enjoy? Is there a comic book or series of books published in conjunction with the show, such as Cheetah Girls , Lizzie Mcguire, or Spider-Man?

Still stumped? School librarians can make great suggestions. Independent bookstores may also have someone on staff who can recommend a good book for your child. I've found a local used bookseller who can give me recommendations. Or you can ask me. If I can't come up with something, I'll bet I know someone who can.

Now, get thee to a library or your favorite bookstore.